200+ Haulin' Off The Weight

Hi Ladies!

Rain - I'd never heard of PKU before, how interesting and what an unfortunate pain in the butt! Glad they're developing a semi-useful medication, and maybe when it's out on the market the price will go down. My most recent ex had a sodium problem, don't know what the actual condition is called, but his body can't process sodium, if he eats too much it affects his hearing and balance. So many odd conditions out there you never hear about.

Venting session in 3...2...1...

So irritated with my underling (I never know what to call people that report to you, this is my internal vocab) at work. Our entire group gets these meeting requests for a bi-monthly conference call. I know she gets them too, but for some reason never dials in. Yesterday, they actually brought her name up and talked about a project they're going to involve her in and she wasn't on the freaking call! AND SHE WAS AN HOUR LATE TO WORK with no explanation! Anyway, I casually asked if she got the meeting request, and she said "yes, does that mean you want me to be on the call?" "well, yeah." "Okay, I can do that."

Then she walks off and comes back and stands in my doorway with her coffee and in a snarky tone says "Is there anything else I'm not doing right that I should be doing?" WTF?! So I immediately got heated and said "I'm sorry, did I cause some offense by asking you to be on the call?" And she immediately backed off and said "no, not at all." What the hell is wrong with this woman? Since the discussion yesterday, she's been a raging ***** to me.

Let's not get into the fact that I can't give her ANYTHING to do because I have to redo it all myself. Ex: "hey, there are some things wrong with this spreadsheet, you need to edit it." "Oh, I thought you'd say that." Um... what? If you know there are errors in your work, why do you need me to bounce it back to you!?!?! Just effing fix it!!! She's completely unwilling to give training sessions, completely unwilling to fulfill her objectives, has monthly duties that always needs a reminder to do... But nobody is willing to fire her because she has a history of suicide in her family (mom, dad and brother), severe depression and financial problems, and I'm sympathetic to that... but damn. Quit trying so hard for everyone to see your incompetence!

This is part of my hating my current job. Maybe I'm just a d i c k hyper-critical Virgo.

Kendal - I can soooo see you as the Ref. Blowing a whistle and telling Mr Reunion that he needs a time out with you!!!

I have been lurking like crazy - I want to catch up with everyone and I just haven't had the time to do so. I'm trying now for sho.

Kendal, the ref costume is ADORABLE and I think you would look amazing in it. I for sure think you should buy it and then have that as a Halloween goal. And you must must must dress up Lexi. That would be the greatest.

Annette, glad to hear the dog is doing better! And as far as going out to eat and such, enjoy it! Just try to make an effort to choose healthier options and don't clean your plate, you'll be fine.

Victoria, HOLY CRAP I had no idea your race was coming up so quickly. That is exciting! How long is it again? I know that a while back you had said you were gonna try to start cooking at home more - how is that going?

Hosanna, I feel ya on it being weird to go places alone. I've never been very good at that. I just always assume that everyone is staring at me. I hope you are still enjoying your time with your mom though. Sounds like fun!

Rain, how sh*tty of your sister to say that to your mom about running. Not cool. You can tell your mom that I think any amount of running is a massive accomplishment and something to be proud of. And you can tell her that we all started right where she is. That's great that she's going to the gym with you - look at you being an inspiration to her!

Amy, I hope the kid's attitude has improved today. And I hope the weather has also improved. I think we've had this conversation before, but I remember being in Germany and having it be like 85 outside, and all they wanted to serve me to drink was room temperature. WHAT THE H IS THE DEAL WITH THAT? Seriously, you should ask why they are so opposed to cooler temperatures. I don't get it. Oh and all the dresses you bought? Gorgeous. And you look gorgeous in them. And also, that effing blows that the hubbs is going out on assignment again. You are way tougher than me. I'd be losing my mind by now I think. Then again, Chris and I haven't spent a single night apart since March of 2006. We're pathetic like that.

Kristi, I'm sorry you are dealing with bronchitis. Glad you found us and get well soon!

Lacey, that adventure series thing looks freaking sweet (or as my husband would say right now, "that's the tits." Seriously. He's trying to bring it back. Its been going on for like 2 weeks. I think he needs an intervention). You MUST do it. And I agree with Amy on the headache/coffee stuff. I used to get migraines ALL the time - like calling in to work at least once a month, and then I cut waaay back on my coffee and caffeine and started drinking a ton of water, and bam - no more migraines. I haven't had one since January.

Pam, that is an awesome question - I hardly have any frame of reference for this as usually when I work out at night its to counteract the fact that I am over on cals for the day. I think the biggest thing to remember is that weight loss is about 80-90% what you eat. The reason you are working out is for toning your body and also the increased level of health that it brings. If you want to make sure you're getting a work out in, maybe try to eat more earlier to plan for it? Or I agree with Rain, have a protein shake. It will do you all kinds of good!

Megan, oh man girl, you are preaching to the choir on the drinking over the weekend. The only thing that really gets me through is the fact that I have set myself up for my long runs (so my biggest calorie burn of the week) to happen on Saturday. What that does for me is helps me reign it in on Friday night, cuz I don't want to feel like crap while running on Saturday, and then it gives me a good 600-800 calorie cushion for Saturday fun. I really find that its best to just make sure I get a workout in on days when I'm gonna have booze. Beer is seriously the nectar of the gods in my opinion.

Rikki, congrats on the HUGE loss and way to go on keeping your cals at Red Lobster. Once those stupid cheddar biscuits are in front of me, I'm a total goner. So I just don't go there.

Katie, your story about the temperature thing made me very frustrated for you, but also cracked me up. Seriously, could that have been any more ridiculous? Here at Home Depot, our store's temperature is controlled by corporate in Atlanta. Which makes no sense whatsoever, because I'm in Michigan. Atlanta has no idea what's going on up here. So its either ridiculously hot or ridiculously cold in here all the time. Stupid corporate America.


Ok, I went back a ways and I'm callin' it good.

Remember the drama with my sister and her husband? Well, she told him she wants to leave him. And he has had this amazing "ah ha" moment (that of course he couldn't have had all the times earlier that my sister told him she was miserable and that he needed to step up his game) and now he's telling her that he can be better, that he wants to try, that he'll go to therapy, do anything she wants him to, that he just wants to make their marriage work. Which you would think would make my sister happy. But apparently not. She's just annoyed by it, feels that its contrived, and that it won't last. As of right now, she is basically saying they are separated by they are going to stay in the house together until this school year is over for the kids. WHAT THE HECK?! Seriously. I don't even know where to begin to tell her all the things that I think are wrong about this. I've suggested they go to therapy together, and my sister is basically saying there's no hope, its over, she can't do it anymore. So she's going to be miserable for 9 months and then move the kids to a podunk town with crappy schools. Urgh. Family is so frustrating!

As for me, the excess weight from the weekend is slowly coming off, so I'm happy about that. I want to post a couple of pics for you guys, so hopefully I can figure that out within the next couple of days here (PS Amy thanks for the mini tutorial you gave earlier on how to do that. I know people always have trouble with getting pics to post). The only other fun news I have is that I won tickets to a Detroit Tigers game for the Friday of Labor Day weekend at work. Chris and I somehow haven't been to a game yet this year, and we are playing the White Sox (who along with the Cleveland Indians we're in a penant race with), so I'm really stoked about it. (have I ever told you guys I'm a huge baseball fan. HUGE. Like watch every game/can name our entire roster and their batting averages huge).

Okay. Work time. Love to all of you!

I have a question about oatmeal: (I never thought I would write that sentence...)

Anyway, when the carton says a serving is 1/2 cup for 150 cals...is that a 1/2 cup prepared, or 1/2 cup raw oats. I ONLY ask because the carton also says, down on the bottom, that to prepare 1 serving, you use 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup raw oats.

I have been eating 1/2 cup prepared and telling myself that's enough - but really, I'm lying. If it IS only 1/2 cup prepared, I need to find something else to eat that isn't going to kill my calorie intake for the day.

What is the consensus?

Nava - 3 words for you - corrective action plan. Is she a salaried professional or hourly? Either way, you deserve to work with competent people. When I had trouble with employees, we would do the plans giving them 90 days to get up to speed. The consequences could include salary reduction and up to termination. Her mental status should not affect her being fired. If you are her direct boss, you should be able to consult with HR on how to do a plan. I'm assuming you work in a big company. If you're not her direct boss, talk to her manager. My favorite boss always told me to never redo people's work - it makes them lazy. If you keep making the redo it correctly, they will catch on and it saves time in the long run. Her other fav sayings, you tell me what's wrong with it and you tell me how to fix the problem. At one time, I supervised 17 employees - that was stressful. Good luck.

Check in for yesterday: 2657/2174/393 deficit. I didn't work out yesterday. Got a ****ty peach cobbler made that SUCKS, completely a waste of good peaches that were perfect and ripe. And made pizza dough so I can make Jeff's buffalo chicken wing pizza tonight for his birthday. And brownies. And then I repolished my nails iwth a dark berry color. I realize I have no summery colors. I need to go buy a few.

I will be back later to respond to everyone!

How I met my husband:

Well loooong ago we went to high school together. He said I was "stuck up" so he never got the courage to ask me out. He went of to the military and got married, and I went to college and had a....good time. I came home on holidays and breaks to work at the restaurant. I would see him come in with his wife and would just think, "he's so cute in his USMC greens." Well between my sophmore year and summer, I lost about 80 lbs and was working again at the restaurant. He apparently saw me though the drive-thru eindow and had to call his buddy to come into town so he could come eat inside. I waited on him and we casually mentioned that we were both single and he gave me his number. I really was kinda planning on a "hit n quit" because I was going to school 4 states away and that just wasn't going to work out. Our very first date, we went to the county fair and I grabbed his hand just as natural as I do 8 years later. I had never felt so comfortable with someone. A few weeks later I was getting ready to leave for school and he told me he loved me. I didn't answer him back, I just wore a cheesy grin on my face all night at work. I told him later that night as we were watching the stars by the river. We have been through alot in out short 8 years together, but Ilove him more and more every day.

The depression monster is on the loose today. I just don't feel like pushing through to smile....for anyone. I walk past a mirror and I want to cry. How could I be so disgusting? Why is my husband still with me? Bless his heart, he says I'm beautiful, as do many of my friends. They all say that I'm a wonderful person...blah blah. How can you accept these compliments when you hate everything you see? I love who I am as a person, I just hate the package. I know that I am doing better, and doing the right thing by making better choices, but I just want to be able to see weekly results. Is that so much to ask.. People say, "you didn't gain it over night." The hell I didn't. I go on vacation for 4 days and gain almost 10 lbs....tell me thats not over night.

Well, when I feel, I write. I don't normally share what I write, for fear of people seeing the real me inside. If I don't share, I feel that that you won't really be able to help me get through this funk. (I am medicated for anxiety and forgot the past 2 days, so probably a huge factor!)

I completely understand you. I'm bipolar and when I'm depressed I have the most hateful thoughts and I can't understand why I ever thought any other way, it seems so clear to me that this is the only reality that matters and I'm doomed.

Then when I'm manic those thoughts are so far away it's like I'm another person with as different set of memories, and those depressed hateful thoughts have nothing to do with me.

And missing any days worth of meds throughs me into a tail spin. You reminded me to take my pills this morning, thank you!

The on thing I hold onto when I'm so depressed is "This too shall pass" because I know the depression will lift eventually, like a bad cold, I just have to wait it out.

There are things I do to help. Bright lights; grow lights are good, outside is even better. Exercise; I know you dont feel like it but 15 minutes of moving will help your mood more than you would believe right now. Letting it all hang out; sometimes I just put in the saddest movie I have (Fried Green Tomatoes or Steel Magnolias works nicely) and just let myself cry till I'm exhausted, then I shower or nap and feel better.

Alrighty, makin the time to respond or I will get so far behind I won't know where to go!

I met Jeff on match.com. I had been playing on there for about 6 months talking to various dudes around the world, two of which even were traveling near my neighborhood so I would set up dates and then bag out on them at the last minute because I was scared lol. Then Jeff said he was coming down (we lived 250 miles away) to see his mom and he wanted to take me out, that he'd stop by Victoria Secret to meet me. Couldn't get out of that could I? That was almost 8 years ago now.

Sarahwnt - I think its half a cup unprepared. Water doesn't have calories, so if you only adding water to make it, then it must be unprepared. And YES know that salad and dessert, and their beer. My favorite thing there is their cajun tator tots.YUMM.

Kerry - the sad fact of the matter is that most people aren't really willing to do that much changing if they can get away from it. So it doesnt' surprise me that when forced with a life changing situation, your sisters husband said he would make an effort. People get comfortable, they don't want to do it because its super hard. I can't blame your sister for her frustration at this fact, but maybe once she's had time to get over the shock of him wanting to try to change and make it work, she will want to try counseling also. My one motto for my marriage when things get rough is did I try everything I possibly could to make it work? If I can say yes I truly did and things still aren't better, then its time to leave.

Nava - This is going to sound BAD, but here it is; it sounds just from what you've said that this girl uses her situation as a crutch to do a half @ssed job at work. Maybe she doesn't even realize she does it and just has such low self esteem that she does everything to the least of her ability. The fact that she anticipated you saying that to her regarding the spreadsheet smacks of laziness stemmed from some kind of issue. I like the action plan idea to get her up to speed. She should have fair warning, due diligence, etc. and you all should feel that you did the absolute best you could by her in an attempt to make her into the type of employee that can thrive at your firm before you make a decision to can her *kitten*.

Kendal - you could always buy the costume and let it out by adding an extra stripe of white or black into the sides.

Amy - Gabe sounds like my husband. Very short lately for whatever reason. He says nothing is bothering him, so I am just dealing but really I want to push him in a closet until he comes out the patient man I love lol. Also, got the eurorail tickets today in the mail!! I'm not looking forward to the heat that we could be facing in Europe while there without a/c. From the looks of various weather reports, Paris and Italy could be in the upwards of 70-90 and Bruge will be fairly nice and cooler. It makes packing hard lol.

Annette - yeay for a new dvd and going out to dinner. Keep chugging water and try to make as healthy choices as you can and you will be fine. Glad to hear your dog is feeling better.

Victoria - Good job on the run/walk on the trail!

Hosanna - I used to be afraid of going out alone, now I relish that time by myself toodling around without the fam. Enjoy it while you can. I go to movies by myself once in a while and its a little weird but once I sit down and realize I'm not the only person alone in the theater its all good.

Rain - Its nice to hear your mom is making the effort to go with you. Every little bit helps.


As for me. Let's see. I got a new printer in my office that does both black and white and color..however in order to share with my engineer and newbie sales guy I'm training in the office next door (that is seperated from me by a window) i switched around my office so one of my credenza things is on that side and now it feels all sorts of out of whack. I need to get some art or something up on these walls in here. I've been in here for nearly two yaers now. I'm the only girl in this back warehouse and as such have thus far got my own office.

Will finish in a bit





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Nava- thats just awesome about Joe :happy:


ETA: I am officially closing this window and won't be back until I get some work done today! lol

Lacey: I'm looking out for u here: http://www.withluv.com/adults/adult-love-coupons.aspx

Lacey: I'm looking out for u here: http://www.withluv.com/adults/adult-love-coupons.aspx

Thanks Girl! I made one for him and printed it out!

KatheryneLynne... that is just so cool! I love all these stories :happy:

Kerry, you are so funny to me. Hubby needs an intervention...lol...priceless!

Wow...all of these love-match stories are pretty amazing! It's amazing how our fates already seem decided no matter how much we try to fight it.

As for Halloween...now THAT is the bomb-diggity!!! My favorite time of the year. I rarely dress up, and only have a party once every couple of years, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE haunted houses and trails. Wait, did I say I love them??? I wait all year for the season to start at the end of September and not a weekend passes when I don't go to at least one, sometimes 2 or 3. I sometimes say that I need to start a Christmas Club account just to fund my haunts. I started taking my girls when they were very small, and they are always just as excited as I am. It's gonna be a little sad this year that they won't be here every weekend to go with me, but luckily their fall break is in the middle of October, so we can do some serious damage the weekend before and after the break :-)

Husband meeting story: It was 1987 and I was a single mother with a 3 yr old and very little chance of meeting anyone. I responded to an ad in the Village Voice (before match.com). It was a witty, off beat ad. He called, we talked for four hours. Went out a week later. Got married a year later. Been together since--one more kid. Now we're empty-nesters and remembering why we liked each other to begin with.

Question: Going to Cambodia next week for 10 days...won't have computer access. I want to stay on track. Suggestions?